Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Much as Deputy Enright might like me to do so, I cannot put the budget on the record of the House this afternoon. The development of a strategy for carers, which has happened over the past few years, resources and major income supports are very important. I, like Deputy Enright, have met many carers throughout the country who say that the quality of their lives has been transformed in recent years, not just because of the financial supports but because of the easing of the conditions by which one can access support. The process must be inclusive and that is the way carers want it. I have listened to what the groups want and they know what the Government is doing. They are supportive of the approach taken in the recent past.

These issues are on the table. It was not possible to have the strategy ready by the end of the year, a target that was unrealistic. I have instructed those involved in the process to finalise the strategy in the next six months. I agree with Deputy Enright that we do not need a glossy brochure to set out the strategy — some targets are obvious. Much of it is set out in the NAP inclusion and Towards 2016. It is a question of managing resources to get to the point where people will see continued improvement.

See this speech in context